Buying insurance can be a headache, even when the nation’s health care system is not undergoing reforms.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has changed eligibility requirements for Medicaid and instated a mandate that almost all U.S. citizens enroll in plans by the end of March. The new law also will cause some state health care programs to expire and clients of these programs may have to enroll in new insurance plans.

Registration for individual and group plans through the New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange (NMHIX) began Tuesday.

This article provides a guide to local resources that can help you sign up for health care through NMHIX Qualified Health Plans (QHP), or plans certified by the exchange. It includes information about how immigration status may impact your options. The article is part of a three-part series about how to navigate the new health care law. Subsequent articles will address the impact of the health care law on clients of different government-sponsored plans, and outreach organizations where you can learn more.

Additional information is included in the online version of this article at rdrnews.com.

Where do I sign up for a Qualified Health Plan or Medicaid?

You can sign up for a QHP by visiting one of NMHIX’s websites, calling NMHIX, sitting down with a insurance broker who is certified to enroll clients in QHPs or seeing a “health care guide” trained by NMHIX to use the exchange to register clients for plans.

Do not accept NMHIX registration services from guides or brokers not listed as certified by NMHIX. Any guide or broker who requests compensation for NMHIX registration services is not certified.

To sign up for plans through NMHIX, you will need the following documentation: social security cards or numbers for everyone in your household whom you wish to enroll, government issued identification card; proof of monthly income, preferably pay stubs; proof of American Indian heritage (if applicable), proof of citizenship or lawful residence (if applicable).

NMHIX has two websites where you can sign up for plans on your own: bewellnm.com (English) and seguroquesinm.com Login to read more